RELAUNCH! Expedition lifeboat 'Alan' back afloat after winter works. Lifeboat conversion Ep127 [4K]

[@apryason]

@12:36 Lead-acid batteries can just die suddenly for no apparent reason, then you find out the warranty expired the day before. Been there, done that.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I'll check it, and do a full recondition from AC smart charger.

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals It might also have evaporated off some of the water over time, but most modern batteries only have that problem in high heat areas (tropical/desert heat for 4 months out of the year at least) or if they get cycled a lot. Overcharging can do it as well. None of these should have been happening to that battery as far as we know, though. They do just die off eventually, though, after about 5 to 10 years. Double checking with one of my senior technician mentors that had a lot of experience with Pd-acid battery maintenance for uninterruptible power supplies at remote sites, the cold and cycle of the seasons will slowly degrade the battery when not in use, but you should be able to recondition it with the smart charger. Before you head out to colder seas, replacing the battery would be advisable as you will likely only get a single reliable reconditioning out of that small battery and the next time it gets cold below freezing, it is probably going to fall below cranking amperage to turn over the motor again even if its fully charged.

[@Bulletguy07]

@apryason.......Exactly that happened with a car battery (one of the cells had gone) and when I found the receipt (which was the warranty) it had expired just ONE DAY before! Anyway I decided to take it back to the store I'd bought it from and was pleasantly surprised when they handed over another brand new battery with warranty!! Good customer service!!

[@teeanahera8949]

Yep, I had a cell catastrophic fail while driving downhill, in a downpour, at night, not much brakes or power steering. Much fun.

[@slammsonite1]

Alan is looking more and more like it belongs in space and not on water.

[@oldman1944]

I'd like a compilation episode comprising solely of weather observations and related cinematography.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Careful what you wish for!

[@darthmemeious9526]

i couldnt have found something better to watch, while eating the food i carried home from work. Even if i tried.

[@darthmemeious9526]

also, good to know this expedition now uses nasa technology.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

'Tis an odd company name to choose.

[@darthmemeious9526]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals my guess is its reasuring to customers, or "space technology" branding which i doubt.

[@Jehty_]

​@@AlexHibbertOriginalsI am even more baffled by their choice for the logo. That's the old Nasa logo (to be fair with an added arrow). How can they just take the name and logo of another company/agency? 😂

[@AllanDeal]

Do a volt drop test on the starter motor would be my suggestion

[@dancarter482]

_Poseidon checks under his bed for Allan!_

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Only to find out where the extra 'l' came from!

[@dancarter482]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Actually went back and added the extra L having read other comments - DAMN! - Dyslexics of the world, UNTIE!

[@teeanahera8949]

I was about to say it’s Alan but now I shall refrain. Oops, I just did it.😅

[@paulzeiller2807]

This is very exciting......good luck with your ongoing adventure.

[@jackfntwist]

Wow. Your skin is perfect camouflage for the snow! Lol. Just kidding. Looking good, as is your navy mate and Alan.

[@Leightr]

I live just south of Scotlands latitude, but I also love the long days in June when I can stay out working on projects until 9:30 or 10.

[@teeanahera8949]

Haha when you write the time on a youtube thread and it has a colon in it, the damn thing becomes a hot link to the appropriate place in the video and not an o’clock. Nine minutes & thirty seconds in this case where we can once again enjoy the infinite pleasure of one of Alan’s fuel tanks being filled.

[@d_fresh1169]

Mr. Hibbert, your commentary never fails to leave me in stitches... simply priceless. Meanwhile, the project still remains supremely interesting. Looking forward to the next updates. Cheers.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers - I appreciate it.

[@pepperspray7386]

i had a bad starter on a nissan once that worked when tested, but didn't when in the car. took it out and put it back in 3 times and replaced my battery before replacing it. might try to start there.

[@hadorstapa]

What a wonderful moment it is to see Alan back on the water. The viewer perspective (at least from this viewer) is that Alan looks a considerably more capable and competent vessel than previously. The non-firing engine is a little concerning, though. I hope it’s just a wobble getting back on the water.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers

[@questionableendeavours]

I did notice him gone when I was heading south over the Queensferry crossing last weekend. Never managed to get to pop in to see him all th time he was there, but maybe when he's at Arbroath or Montrose

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Wick now!

[@questionableendeavours]

Ah well, great to see youse heading north 👍

[@sailingona]

Awesome thanks 🙏

[@SamwiseOutdoors]

Watching a video about a boat named Alan while I pet my doofy cat named Alan is pretty meta.

[@victorbjorklund]

Woho! New video! 🎉

[@whitecompany18]

Dodo mat car audio sound deadening is great for the low frequencies if you haven't tried that yet, double it up if you have to 👌

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Similar to TecSound or any other mlv - it's the fitting that makes the difference!

[@BlakeStone76]

Maybe there was air in the fuel system causing start to fail? There should be small pump top of oil filter and screw that needs to be loosened so the air can escape. Typically some fuel needs to be also pumped out via the screwhole. I would do some pumping and air bleeding just in case even if it starts now.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

It's actually a self bleeding system on this Bukh once it's at the pre-filter. I also think this would have shown up on long runs (it's done 25 hrs over the last week).

[@chadstinson9886]

7 dollars a gallon might want to rig up a mast and some sails ⛵️ lol good God England gets screwed on fuel prices

[@MrButtonpresser]

Lovely progress sir. Which map animation s/w do you use please?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

mult.dev/

[@jackfntwist]

p.s. The bolts inside the bumper rails look really long. Looks like they will do some damage if they penetrate the rubber on impact.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

You identified Alan's side mounted defensive arsenal.

[@CaptainK007]

What a load of old bollards and bolts 😂

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Quite.

[@rhinoreselling414]

Longer videos please

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

You mean unedited long boring sequences with royalty free music?

[@pmacgowan]

Your lifeboat has a lifeboat has a .... are there turtles all the way down ??

[@COM70]

12:35 loose or dirty cables ?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

That's my first diagnosis to try when up next.

[@TheRealEtaoinShrdlu]

Afaik the transducer does better at the stern. We always had our fishfinder transducer astern a bit offset from the outboard motor.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Does that not warn you of grounding rather late if located 7m behind the bow when motoring forward?

[@TheRealEtaoinShrdlu]

We used it to check for ocean floor depth, not grounding problems. So we know how deep to throw our fishing lines, etc. They are pretty useless when the water depth is below 2m.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Fair enough. You'll see in the next episode this one was super in the shallows, and predicted to within 5 mins of when we were likely to gently tap the sandy bottom.

[@TheRealEtaoinShrdlu]

Come to think of it, why/how would you use a depth gauge to prevent grounding? They "look" straight down, not forward. By the time it detects a rock underneath the ship, it would already be too late. Digital oceanographic maps would be a better solution as underwater rock outcroppings aren't know for being migratory.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Not so much for rocks - but for a shallowing beach. You'd monitor the depth whilst watching what the digital chart is telling you to expect. Worked well for us last week in Montrose.

[@linrepboras]

How is Allan affected by full resp. nearly empty fuel tank in terms of balance and stability? Simplifying things 1 liter = 1 Kg. (i know but at the moment cant bather)

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Nothing noticeable as yet.

[@TheRealEtaoinShrdlu]

Lolz, that NASA MARINE logo looks suspiciously similar to the noodle logo used ba NASA OG.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

'Tis an odd company name to choose.

[@gafrers]

Always weird to see Alan on wheels

[@linrepboras]

Quite basic, extremely low power consumption but requires hands on deck is the lead and line.(Sorry, Alex. could not prevent myself typing this, must work with self control.) “A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.” - Douglas Adams. Not saying but any DIY'er will admit the truth in this.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Fifth time reading this, still none the wiser.

[@linrepboras]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Sorry Alex, as a joke i suggested the leadline (a rope with a weight in one end and markings for each feet/meter/whatever measuring depth) Being a hands on deck operated method the power consumption of Allan's electrical capacity will be zero. Not my intension writing a novel but have no desire prolonging this more then necessary. I do subscibe and enjoy what you post!

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

No! No worries. Slightly the wiser.

[@lutomson3496]

Im kind of laughing..im paying over $5.00 per gallon for diesel here in California, yes not 7 but close...so the assumption that in the US we have cheap diesel is wrong..in other states probably yes..and then the cheaper diesel has biodiesel crap which is rubbish

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Are CA state taxes very high on diesel?

[@jacobbroe5279]

Grand episode as always. I wonder if we should start to hold our breath in anticipation for the next step in the completion of the passive stabilizers. :)

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

A whole Ep on that soon

[@Easy-Eight]

At least I gave you the first thumbs up.

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

Can't bond anything to silicone you say? Have you tried..more silicone?! Seriously, though, it is a pretty much nonreactive, unbondable to material because of the chemistry of it.

[@HelderLouro-sl5fb]

As mentioned by another commenter perform a voltage drop test on the starter. Measure the voltage at the battery terminals then measure the voltage on the lugs at the starter while cranking. If you are reading 12.8v at the battery then 11.0 v at the starter while cranking then there is an issue with the wire between the starter and battery. It will cause your symptom of a slow crank. Test the battery itself not just seeing how many volts it produces. There are handheld testers that check the charging ability, cranking ability, and voltage of a battery. Basically you want to verify that the discharge rate of your battery is high enough. Lastly your starter may be starting to fail. If you battery is delivering the correct voltage and amperage to the starter but you have a slow crank then the starter itself may be at fault. If so there should be a cottage industry of individuals that can rebuild the starter or you could source a replacement.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Will do once back at the harbour.

[@dcallan812]

Great, Alan undercarriage is moist again, that must mean he will be full steam ahead from the marina soon. 2x👍

[@jonathan5354]

The back of the platform would look even better and finished with the same bumpers as on the side.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

There are on the sides of the platform, but Alanson needs to live up there sometimes.

[@HDSME]

I was in bed thinking of ALLEN I Said if only he would change that fuel baldder!!! We spoke about it about 9 months ago and v ou convinced me it was ok As I laid there envying you I said dam that bladder gonna move the fuel back and forth ! Now a week later I see this you Removed it! It's a strange world so e guy in New york worrying about your bladder lol crazy world Alex I need away to ship you things I sell t guides and military I have nice goodies for your ice trips regards Tony

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Your concern for my bladder is appreciated.

[@richarddaltry]

For future reference. The missing patches of antifoul can be usually painted minutes before launching (subject to the type of antifoul). Most boats are done this way rather than lifted twice. Keep a smidgen of paint in the tin and one of the used brushes and keep to hand for launch day.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Does single part antifoul dry that fast? Most of the yacht owners with boat stands, not blocks, seemed to shift their stands around days before launch for painting.

[@benderbender1233]

✌🙂✌

[@ThePaulv12]

Re the starting, Many months ago, I wrote you a little spiel on the necessity of 300a cable for 12v starter motors. You responded. I countered, you remained silent as did I. If you didn't heed my advice, then everything you need to know is contained within this post.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I certainly don't ignore or steamroller over any comments. But, not all comments are 100% correct or logical. Some will be 80% correct, but where I query/push back on the 20%. There are regularly 100s of comments per video, not to mention emails and social media messages. Often, they contradict. So, whilst it may look to an individual commenter that I'm being rude or dismissive, I have to make judgement calls every time, and of course, each commenter will be sure that they are right, and have found the source of my problem. Often, people tell me to just reverse/chuck out something I've spent a week making. Some will develop, or nurse, a 'I told you so' attitude ready to level it at me if something doesn't work out months later. I can live with that. On this matter - the cable I use is rated to 175A when the starter draws 100A max. It's a 1.5m run, so it's possible the 4% voltage drop is to blame. The battery is rated to crank engines with twice the displacement of Alan's. But, that doesn't mean I'm right. I will isolate the various issues and try to diagnose. I jumped the engine from the 210Ah batteries with a short cable, and it was only a little better - not as it used to crank instantly. It's possible I loosened a terminal connection somewhere, so that's my first port of call. Your input is appreciated, as the length of this post suggests, but do look at it from my point of view. Cheers.

[@ThePaulv12]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Almost all petrol engined cars use 300a cable that is usually only around 500mm long. Your engine is a Diesel. The continuous current draw vs starting current draw spike is where the 300a cable part of it comes into play. It provides current headroom. Will it help here? I can't say, but it can't hurt.